Veterans

They have been called Doughboys, leathernecks, G.I.s, Troops, Dogface, Army, Air Force, National Guard, Navy, Marines or Military. They are sometimes referred to as Armed Forces. More recently for those who served in the last World War, they were referred to as “The Greatest Generation.” They have fought to free our country from tyranny from British rule in the Revolutionary War, preserved a splitting nation during the Civil War, repelled foreign domination in two World Wars, fought communism in Korea and Viet Nam, freed a friendly nation from invasion in Dessert Storm, toppled a dictator and helped build a nation of freedom in Iraq and fought to destroy avowed terrorist extremists in Afghanistan.

After serving sometimes years in the most difficult circumstances of life that separates from family, creates hardship, forging lifelong bonds, being removed from American soil to hostile lands, sacrificing body and limb, even to the ultimate sacrifice of life, the separated military person now is simply a Veteran.


Veterans return home sometimes intact, other times broken, but in most instances in high spirit. A Veteran is a person who was your high school buddy, your grocery clerk, insurance salesman, or perhaps you physician or banker. No matter what profession or job Veterans are all around us because there has always been a need for men and women to serve their country.


Service to their country is what they have done. They served on ships, in airplanes, tanks, jeeps, hummers, helicopters, trucks and on foot. They have given their word and taken an oath to protect and preserve “our way of life” in the United States even to the point of dying to allow each of us to remain free. They have marched through mud and fire, eaten swill, frozen in foxholes, fried in desserts and been eaten by mosquitoes in the jungle. They have been in grave danger under enemy fire, tortured by enemy as captives, and sustained emotional trauma as they have been aware of their loved ones at home suffering on wages that sometimes qualified them for welfare. And yet for some of them even though their tour of duty finished and provided opportunity to return to American civilization, they have stood tall and marched right back into the “hot zone” for another tour because of their sense of honor and duty.


On Veterans Day you will notice them; they will stand out. The Veterans will be the ones whose hands are firmly planted over their hearts when the colors pass by during the parade. Their stand will be straight and tall to the extent they are able as the National Anthem is played at the game. You will notice them as they quickly wipe a falling tear as the names of fallen comrades are read at the memorial service. You might see one standing alone in the middle of a National Cemetery by a White Cross or Star of David, with head bowed, standing at parade rest.


When you see them or notice them, watch them for a moment or two and remember as best you can the sacrifice they made for you. You are able to walk the streets of America free, live the American dream, relish the full rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States because that man or woman stood on foreign soil, faced the onslaught of the full force of a powerful enemy and stood his or her ground…all of it in your place so you could remain free. If the situation is right, move toward that Veteran, take his or her hand in yours and simply say “Thank you.”

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